The Film Renter and Moving Picture News (Nov-Dec 1922)

November 18, 1922. THE FILM RENTER &. MOVING PICTURE NEWS. TAX SLIDES TERMED 13 “ BLACKMAIL.” A Far-Reaching Statement by a Leeds Conservative Candidate. . TRADE’S PROMPT ACTION. (By our -Eeeds HE trade got more satisfaction out of the Conservatives I than Liberals in Leeds on the question of the abolition or reduction of the tax. The Liberal candidates’ attitude was outlined in these pages a week back. They took the view that when the country's position warranted it, this tax should be one of the first to come off. When the Conservatives were tackled, it was found that, with one exception, all were in favour of some reduction of the tax. Mr. Arthur Willey, the well-knowu solicitor, who entered the fray for the first time in Central Leeds, favoured an immediate reduction of 50 per cent. The exception was Major J. D. Birchall, the candidate for the N.E. Division of Leeds. Elected at the last appeal of Llovd George to the country as a Coalition Unionist, Major Birchall has since opposed the removal of the tax at the House, and he would now go no further than a readjustinent affecting the cheaper seats. When the country could afford the abolition or further reduction of the tax, he added, he would be prepared to support it. Major Birchall’s Protest. The program of the trade to indicate on the screen which candidates supported or resisted the campaign against the tax did not please Major Birchall. He called it blackmail. Speaking later in Harehills, Leeds, he said that during the last few hours he had been threatened that if he did not vote for a certain matter, his name would be exposed to odium and unpopularity in the picture houses of Leeds. “There is going to be a row if that threat is carried out (he proceeded), because there is nothing I detest more than blackmail. And if a man’s namic is exposed to odium and ridicule in the picture houses of the city, without his having any Correspondent.) opportunity of putting his case properly, and without any fair statement of his case, then I say it is something very much like blackmail. “Ido not think, as a matter of fact, if the threat is put into operation it would have the effect desired, because the men and women of North-East Leeds are sufficiently independent to object to that kind of electioneering.”’ Deputation Waits on the Major. Blackmail is a hard word and an unjust word to use in description of the slide that it was decided to use in kinemas throughout the country in order to let the picture-going public sce who favoured the abolition or reduction of the tax and who objected. And this fact was soon brought to the Major's notice. The members of the deputation who had interviewed the Leeds candidates met and decided to approach Major Birchall and explain the precise procedure to be adopted. Hence Messrs. HW. A. Whincup and W. Smith interviewed Major Birchall and to show him one of the slides that were being exhibited. They expliined the procedure and left satisfied that they had caused the Major to view the matter from a different aspect. Major Birchall had another mecting the same evenme. but apparently made no further reference to the matter. If he did so, it was not recorded in the Conservative Press. At the moment of writing the ugly word blackmail had not) been withdrawn. The trade in Leeds acted wisely in approaching the candidate and placing their cuse—and a sample of the slide—befcre hit. For this was a challenve to the right of the exhibitor to use the screen as the politicians use their own Press. It was not, therefore, a statement to be left unanswered. NO REPLY! Chancellor of the Exchequer Ignores Tax Questions— Birmingham Exhibitors and Austen’s * Open Mind,’’ (By our Birmingham Correspondent.) HE whole of the candidates seeking Parliamentary honours in the Midlands were tackled Ly the Birmingham Branch of the C.FE.A. in pursuance of its Entertainments Tax abolition campaign. While Lubcur with united voice gave definite and favourable replies, representatives of other political parties gave promises of support, wit), the proviso that they would do so providing national finances permitted. Approximately, 90 per cent. of the would-be M.P.s replied to the Association’s letter, but two members of the New Cabinet upparently ignored the communication. The delinquents were Mr. Stanley Baldwin (Chancellor of the Exchequer) and Mr. Neville Chamberlain (Postmaster General). At Friday’s meeting, however, deputations were appointed to wait on these Ministers. An ‘‘ Open Mind.’’ Mr. Austen Chamberlain, the cx-Chancellor of the Exchequer, ‘‘ keeps an open mind on the matter.’’ In view of the present state of the country's finances, he could not support abolition, | but thinks that possibly some further adjustment could be made. Google ‘(If Finances Permit.”’ Mr. Stanley Baldwin's Liberal opponent: sugeested that ‘a tux on profits instend of takings "* would be better. Mr. J. Smedley Crooke. the Unionist candidate for the Deritend Division of Birmingham, replied: ‘* Realising as | do that the kinema is the legitimate recreation of the poor man, and ag you suggest the removal of the tax will involve an immediate reduction in admission prices, I would support any motion on the lines of your question."’ A typical Unionist reply ig that sent by Sir Evelyn Cecil, of Aston, who said, ‘' Yes, if national finances permit. It is a War emergency tax."’ The Labour View. “The whole thing has been an imposition,’’ concluded Mr. Fred Longden, one of the Birmingham Labour candidates. Mr. P. J. Hannon, who was returned unopposed for the Moseley Division of Birmingham, announeed his willingness to meet the association at any time to discuss the policy which should be adopted before the 1923 Budvet is introduced. “*T am out to abolish the tax as [am a proprictor of kinemas myself," was the cheery response of Mr. Pat. Collins, the famous amusement caterer, who stood as a Liberal for Walsall. The Rev. J. A. Shaw, National Liberal candidate for one of the Wolverhampton constituencies, replied: ‘‘ Yes, I heartily agree with you. It is strangulation, not taxation.”